KDF distributor? How to tell...

tasb · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject: KDF distributor? How to tell...

Just wondering. I was told it is. I have been rebuilding some oldies but nothing quite this old. Some differences I can find on cursory inspection:

pin at bottom of drive pinion

Brass collar at case mating surface.

Adjustment thumb screw at base.

Name plate says: Lavalette Bosch F1VE4AS66 some letters numbers are hard to make out.

One clip is missing the other is broken.

Any help ID'ing this beute would be great! Thanks!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/348026.jpg

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/348027.jpg

It does fit into the distributor mount hole and mates with the drive pinion of a 36 horse engine. The mounting bracket that came with it lines up good on a 36 hp case too.

Glenn · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

Did you just buy that on eBay?

I saw it and don't think it's for a KDF. The drive on the bottom looks like a early Mercedes.
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tasb · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

What this old thang... Twisted Evil

Yeah it was on ebay. It cost me less than $20 shipped so I'm not out too much. I bid not knowing what a KDF distributor should look like. Might at least be the same era.

comments from anyone else.

tasb · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Did a little research and found that Lavalette a French parts manufacturer partnered with Bosch between WWI and WWII since import duties to the Germans was making anything coming out of Germany too expensive for anyone to buy.

The partnership started in 1928 and must have ended somtime before 1940 as this is when German re-invaded France at the beginning of WWII.

So I guess this piece predates the KDF by a number of years.

Didn't know Bosch history went back that far.

53 0val · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject:

olivierfr · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:33 am Post subject: bosch 343 ?

Does anybody know what is a 343 distributor ?

EverettB · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:06 am Post subject:

Do you mean it has a part # beginning with 343? For example 343 905 205.

343 = Type 34, although most Type 34 parts I have seen begin with 341.
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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:35 am Post subject:

No... the KDF used a "343" distributor where the last 3 digits were 343... like the "383" used in the Splits.
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25horseboxer · Samba Member Joined: July 02, 2006 Posts: 210

or like the common 009, 010 dist.

Glenn · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:59 am Post subject:

25horseboxer · Samba Member Joined: July 02, 2006 Posts: 210

Yes, I figured that out when I came across a vacuum advance 009!

HeSa · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:08 am Post subject:

Anyone information on ver4brs383? No visual difference compared to ve4brs383. And it accepts flat cap and rotor.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

olivierfr · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

I mean end of reference is 343, as a 383 distributor , but 343.

so, it's kdf one, thanks Glenn .

usariemen · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:

Hello
Funny, to come home and see this thread.
I just bought this morning on a swap meet a carb that seems just the one there was talked about. Here are pics.
The number says VEK 4 BS 343 T

By the way. The lovely "traffic jam" on the way to the place.
Heb in front, then a swimmer, a early oval, a split vert and a barndoor.

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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject:

HeSa · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks Glenn, it did come with a taller non-flat-cap rotor. Holy simplicity but what is the function of a resistor in the rotor? Why would a VW 25 hp or Porsche 356 have this option?

usariemen · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

The resistor was meant to prevent distortions of the radio income I think.
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Glenn · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

HeSa · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject:

Does this mean that a radio was a factory option at that time and a R distributor came with it? After market radio installer would have just changed the rotor and the cap. Could also be a military or police spesific part?

coad · Samba Scapegoat Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552

The quickest way to tell a 343 from the more common 383 is the lack of the O-Ring on the shaft (although I think early 383's lack the ring too?)

And the wartime 343's didn't have the "made in Germany" on the ID Tag


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